it's the much asked question - my puppy pulls on her leash...?

Question

I'm currently using the 'choke chain' collar to train my puppy not to pull and it's been successful to an extent, but i'm not too comfortable with it, and i hate to see it tighten around her neck. which other collars/harnesses can you recommend? any personal experience stories would be great!

Answer 1

I successfully used the gentle leader. It came with a DVD and my strong, adopted lab/shepherd mix learned very quickly.
I was able to win it on ebay at a fair price.

Answer 2

This is one of the most common dog issues and there's about a bazillion ways to deal with it. Here's a few:

-A head-collar such as a Gentle Leader or Halti (these are the things that look like halters for a horse and some people mistake them for muzzles).

-A no-pull harness (the leash attaches to the front, so every time your dog pulls, their energy is redirected backwards)

-Prong collar--they look really wicked but I've been told that they're actually much more humane than a choke collar if properly fitted (all harnesses and collars MUST be properly fitted for them to be effective--read the directions carefully!). This collar gives the dog a slight pinch if they pull.

-The "penalty yard" (my trainer just demonstrated this in class last night): Every time your dog pulls, turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Repeat repeat repeat. For a while you really won't get anywhere, but the dog should soon figure it out.

-Stop dead in your tracks. Every time the dog pulls, stop walking until they stop pulling. Again you won't get very far at first and, repeat repeat repeat.

-Provide a reward for good walking. Keep treats handy and reward the dog for walking next to you. Slowly decrease the amount of treats you give out over time.

Choke-collars should only be used in very specific ways, not to just yank on. A quick upward tug on a choke collar is acceptable, but using it on a pulling dog is asking for a throat injury.

Answer 3

There's a thing you can buy called a halty. It looks kind of like a muzzle but doesn't stop the dog opening it's mouth at all. The way it works means that when the dog pulls, it's nose is pulled down which doesn't hurt the dog at all, but stops it going forwards very easily. They really do work wonders, and as it's totally open the dog can still eat, drink etc even with it on! The link shows you a bit better! (Remember that a collar works like a harness around the neck, allowing the dog to pull very hard)

Answer 4

First of all, make sure the choke chain is the right size and being used properly. There is a right way and a wrong way to put it on the dog so that it isn't constantly tight and will loosen immediately after a correction. It should not be on the dog all day long...only when training, and for puppies the training sessions should be very short in length. When a correction is neccessary, give a short tug...not too hard...and let the lead immediately loosen. Then give the pup lots of praise when she is heeling correctly. Do a few short practice stretches of heeling per day. For the rest of the time, let her be a happy puppy and enjoy!

Answer 5

Do like Cesar Milan (a.k.a. the Dog Whisperer) and make a loop out of your nylon leash. Place this loop just behind the puppy's ears when you are going out for a walk. This forces her to keep her head erect and also gives you greater control over where she goes. Make sure she stays right next to or just behind you so you can establish your dominance. I didn't believe this would work, but my mother had me try it with our dog, who's almost 10 years old and has ALWAYS pulled when we walked him, and within 5 minutes of applying the new leash technique, he was walking alongside me, without so much as a single tug at the leash or an attempt to run after another dog or bark at anything!

Answer 6

I would encourage you to get a gentle leader training leash. Chock collars do not teach your dog to walk on the leash properly. A Gentle Leader looks like a muzzle but it is anything but. It fits around the dogs muzzle and will not let the dog walk you.

Check out this site:
http://www.premier.com/pages.cfm?ID=29

Answer 7

i have to ideas that worked for people i know including me. the first on i don't think you will like since you don't like the choke collar. i didn't like it either but it works.
One: when you dog pulls take the end of the leash and give her a good smack on the butt. this actually is what some trainers do to their dogs but that don't make me like it any more.
Two: this one takes longer but does not involve hitting the dog. i used this one and it worked but took like 6 months to work. every time your dog pulls make her sit and tell that she is naughty and to walk nice. once she calms down start again and compliment her every time she walks the "right" way. when i say right way i mean what ever is comfortable for you. continue this and eventually it works.
hope this helps!

Answer 8

On the cotrary about givin praise...the dog is supposed to be walking right anyway, when I praise my dog for walking well, he think I giving him the ok to pull again.
Myreana is right. You have to be the "Pact Leader"
Dogs need that. You have to walk him & not let him walk you.
If you can get your hands on Milan's Book you should read it.
Watch his show it really helps.
My mom uses the "penalty yard" Method & that works but it takes forever & the pup will probly take a very long time to sink in.

Answer 9

just let her get used to the leash. giving her a treat might help. personally, i don't like 'choke chain' collar. if you don't know how to used it might be dangerous to your puppies health. just use normal collar or those leash where you wrap it on their body

train her how to heel

Answer 10

it's normal it's just means that your dog is excited and wants to go forward on the walk and also when later on the walk your dog is tired so he or she won't pull. Just keep a regular colar.